- South Africa’s state owned power utility, Eskom, reports that Stage 2 loadshedding will be implemented as previously communicated from 16:00 today until 05:00 on Thursday.
- Thereafter, Stage 3 loadshedding will be implemented from 05:00 until 16:00 on Thursday followed by Stage 4 loadshedding until 05:00 on Friday.
- Stage 3 loadshedding will be implemented from 05:00 on Friday until 05:00 on Saturday.
- Then Stage 2 loadshedding will be implemented from 05:00 on Saturday until 05:00 on Sunday.
Breakdowns have reduced to 15 089MW of generating capacity while the generating capacity out of service for planned maintenance has increased to 7 147MW. Over the past 24 hours a generation unit was returned to service at Duvha Power Station.
In the same period, a generating unit each at Lethabo, Kendal and Kriel power stations were taken offline for repairs. The delays in returning a unit to service at Hendrina, Medupi and two units at Tutuka power stations have contributed to the capacity constraints.
Five Open Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs) at Ankerlig Power Station were taken out of service this morning for a planned upgrade of their control system.
In other news, Eskom condemns the abduction of one of its employees on 16 March 2023. The employee’s car was shot at multiple times, and the employee was forcefully taken by seven assailants. The employee was later released at a location in the south of Johannesburg and had to be admitted to hospital as a result of injuries sustained from being assaulted by the attackers.
The matter is now subject to police investigation.
“We convey our sympathies to the employee and their family for the trauma they went through and will provide the necessary support,” said Eskom’s Acting Group Chief Executive, Calib Cassim.
“Eskom condemns such brutal acts and will under no circumstances, tolerate any attacks on its staff members and their families by anyone,” added Cassim.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is requested to contact the nearest police station or SMS the Crime Line on 32211.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
